Further Up The Mountain

History would show that he (Dravid) is one of the best players for anyone,forget about India. It takes difficult conditions for the cream to come to thetop. He came to the top in this game (at Sabina Park) and we needed him becausehe was the best equipped player to deal with the situation.

-- Greg Chappell,Indian coach.

He (Dravid) is a dedicated team man and it was only fitting that hiscontribution in his team's win was substantial. He had the will and thetechnique at his command to prevail over the circumstances. He was a clearchoice for individual honours by a long margin.

-- Michael Holding, former WestIndian fast bowler.

Dravid is a pretty big snag, a pretty big wall. You don't get an averageof 58 plus for nothing. His technique is very good, he plays the ball very lateand watches it as late as possible.

-- Bennett King, West Indies coach.

Encomiums for a man who perhaps remains unmoved by these words of praise.Instead, he would, in his usual humble demeanour reproduce the words uttered in arecent interview. 'I would like to be remembered for being a player who alwaysbrought the best out of himself.'

Indeed, throughout his career, Dravid has been a player who has waged ahugely successful battle against flaws, a trait that would be vouched by coachChappell. 'He continually strives to get better. When he got out in the firstinnings, he didn't complain about the wicket. His comment was I should have beenforward. It shows the mindset of an individual who is wanting to get better andbetter.'

Messrs Reliable

Not to belittle the contribution of the bowlingattack - particularly Harbhajan in the first and Kumble in the second innings -that heralded a series victory in the Caribbean after 35 years, but Indiamight have lost the script at Jamaica had it not been for the skipper's knocksof 81 and 68 (during which he completed 9000 Test runs). It was a testing trackand Dravid was to admit later 'We had to grind our way. But it's probably one ofmy most satisfying innings when I look back at both the innings.' The skipperswept the batting honours by aggregating 496 runs at a superb average of 82.66.

Ardent cricket fans at home are yet to get accustomed to the team makingwinning a regular habit outside Indian shores, but whenever the side hasfinished first abroad, Dravid's brilliance has been vital to the cause. Considerthe recent victories overseas:

September 2005, 2nd Test, Harare, Zimbabwe: Though the series belongedto Irfan Pathan for his exploits with the ball, Dravid left his mark by topscoring with 98 in an Indian total of 366. They won the Test by 10 wickets andthe series 2-0.

April 2004, 3rd Test, Rawalpindi, Pakistan: Dravid's mammoth 270contributed heavily to India's 600 and added immense pressure on Pakistan,skittled out for 224 in the first innings. The hosts fared no better in theirsecond essay and conceded an innings and 131 runs win to give India a 2-1 seriesvictory, their first abroad in more than a decade.

December 2003, 2nd Test, Adelaide, Australia: In response to a huge 556,India were up to the task and Dravid's 233 ensured the visitors fell short byjust 33 runs. Ajit Agarkar (6-41) bowled the spell of his lifetime to leaveIndia chasing 230 for victory. The target was modest, but the Aussies were in nomood to relent. Displaying his trademark cool, Dravid came up with a solid 72 toguide the team to a historic four-wicket verdict in 23 years on Australian soil.

August 2002, 3rd Test, Headingley, England: The English bowlers weresent on a leather hunt by Dravid (148), Tendulkar (193) and Ganguly (128) topost a huge 628. England cracked under the relentless pressure and lost by aninnings and 46-runs. The four-Test series ended 1-1.

August 2001, 2nd Test, Kandy, Sri Lanka: Down 0-1 in the series, Indiabounced back to draw level. In the low scoring encounter, chasing 264 forvictory, Dravid (75) and Ganguly (98) took the team to a seven-wicket victory.

There have been lesser jewels which were more of personal landmarks in drawnTests like the 144 against the West Indies at Georgetown (2002), 115 againstEngland at Trent Bridge (2002) and 217 at the Oval during the same tour.

The contrast between the two opposing captains couldn't have been any starker as it was in the decision involving M.S. Dhoni in the first Test itself - while Lara threw a needless tantrum, Dravid was as affable as ever, avoiding a nasty scene by his deftly timed declaration and then choosing not to speak on the issue, and being graciousness personified whenever he spoke of West Indies or Lara.

Today, no one embodies the spirit of Team India better than Dravid. Indeed, no one represents India with as much grace on the international arena as he does. Thevictory at Sabina Park was another shining example. As Chappell put it, 'I hope itchanges the mindset of Indian cricket to touring and chances of success awayfrom home.' The nation would be saying 'Amen' in unison.